📁 ARCHIVE PAGE - Situation resolved
The blockades were lifted on December 21, 2025
The RN20 to Andorra is fully open and has been running normally for over a month.
This page is kept for historical archive purposes.
History - December 2025: French farmers had been protesting against the mass culling of cattle imposed due to lumpy skin disease (bovine nodular dermatosis). The RN20 blockades were lifted on December 21, 2025 after 10 days of protest action.
Why are farmers protesting? Two main causes
The recent farmer protests were driven by two main causes:
🐄 Cause #1: Lumpy Skin Disease
Lumpy skin disease (LSD, or "bovine nodular dermatosis") is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle. It is characterized by:
- Skin nodules: Lumps appearing all over the animal's body
- High fever and loss of appetite
- Drop in milk production (up to -50%)
- Transmission by insects: mosquitoes and biting flies
Key figures (January 6, 2026): Since the first outbreak was detected on June 29, 2025 in Savoie, 116 outbreaks have been recorded across France in 11 départements, affecting 79 farms (as of January 2, 2026). A new outbreak was confirmed in Ariège on January 1, 2026. In total, 3,300 cattle have been culled (0.02% of the national herd).
🌎 Cause #2: The Mercosur Trade Deal
Farmers are also protesting against the free-trade agreement with South American countries (Mercosur), which they consider unfair to French producers. Although its signing has been postponed, the protest movement continues.
Why farmers are protesting (bovine skin disease):
- Mass culling orders: Authorities order the preventive culling of entire herds as soon as one cow tests positive (3,300 cattle culled in total as of January 2, 2026, including 200 cows on a single farm in Ariège in December)
- Catastrophic financial losses: Entire herds destroyed, with compensation deemed insufficient
- Farmers' distress: Years of work wiped out in a matter of days
- Disputed crisis management: Farmers are calling for a different strategy (culling only sick cows, placing the sector under containment, and letting the virus run its course) rather than systematically culling entire herds
- Vaccination underway: A vaccination campaign has been launched and is progressing well (77.3% of herds in the South-West vaccinated as of January 5, 2026, i.e. 558,022 cattle). This vaccination effort is helping to limit preventive culling.
- Spread still active: A new outbreak was detected in Ariège on January 1, 2026, bringing the total to 116 outbreaks across 11 départements
Impact on the roads: Called by the Confédération Paysanne and Coordination Rurale unions, farmers blocked major roads from December 15 to 21, 2025, including the RN20 leading to Andorra, to make their voices heard and demand emergency measures from the government. Since the evening of December 21, the roads have reopened and access to Andorra has been fully restored.
Which roads could be affected if protests resume?
Should farmer protests resume, the main roads leading to Pas de la Case could be affected:
🇫🇷 From France (Toulouse, Foix, Ax-les-Thermes)
- A66 motorway: Toulouse → Pamiers → Foix (possible filtering roadblocks)
- RN20: Foix → Ax-les-Thermes → L'Hospitalet (main route to Andorra)
- RN22: L'Hospitalet → Col du Puymorens → Pas de la Case (sometimes blocked by tractors)
- Envalira Tunnel: Access from Andorra la Vella (rarely affected)
🇪🇸 From Spain (Barcelona, La Seu d'Urgell)
- AP-7 / C-16 motorway: Barcelona → Manresa → La Seu d'Urgell
- N-145 / CG-1 road: La Seu d'Urgell → Escaldes-Engordany
- CG-2 road: Escaldes → Envalira Tunnel → Pas de la Case
💡 Good to know
These protests generally take the following forms:
- Filtering roadblocks: Traffic slowed but not stopped (vehicle checks)
- Go-slow convoys: Tractors driving slowly along the roads
- Localized blockades: Temporary closure of key junctions or toll plazas
- Variable duration: From a few hours to several days depending on the level of mobilization
How to plan ahead for possible disruption
1. Check official information sources
| Source | Information provided | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Bison Futé | Real-time traffic, forecasts | Visit |
| Ariège Prefecture | Local alerts, road closures | Visit |
| Mobilia.ad | Road conditions in Andorra | Visit |
| Info routes (130) | Phone line from within Andorra | Call 130 |
| Pas-de-la-Case.fr | Real-time traffic map | Visit |
2. Adjust your departure times
Favor the following time slots to avoid blockades:
- Very early morning: Leave before 6am (protests are rarely active then)
- Late evening: Arrive after 8pm (roadblocks are often lifted by then)
- Sundays: Fewer protests over the weekend
- Public holidays: Protests are generally suspended
3. Plan alternative routes
In the event of a major blockade on the RN20/RN22, several options exist:
🚗 Alternative route #1: Via Spain
Toulouse → Barcelona → La Seu d'Urgell → Andorra
- Distance: ~280 km (+80 km vs. the direct route)
- Time: ~3h30 (instead of 2h direct)
- Advantages: Spanish motorways are rarely blocked
- Drawbacks: Extra tolls, longer journey
🚗 Alternative route #2: Via Puymorens then the Envalira Tunnel
Ax-les-Thermes → Col Puymorens → Porta → Envalira Tunnel → Pas de la Case
- Distance: Same
- Time: +20-30 min (via Andorra la Vella)
- Advantages: Can bypass certain blockades
- Drawbacks: Tunnel toll (~€11), longer route
What to do if you're stuck on the road?
🚨 Safety guidelines
- Stay calm: Farmer protests are generally peaceful
- Don't try to force your way through: Risk of escalation and damage
- Turn off your engine: Save fuel if the wait is long
- Stay in your vehicle: Unless told otherwise by law enforcement
- Stay hydrated: Always keep water and snacks on hand in the mountains
- Let people know: Warn your contacts that you'll be delayed
- Listen to local radio: France Bleu Occitanie (90.5 FM), Sud Radio (101.4 FM)
- Emergency number: Dial 112 for any serious problem
Potential impact on tourism in Pas de la Case
Should farmer protests resume, they could have several consequences for visitors:
For ski trips
- Arrival delays: Build in extra time on the day you arrive
- Accommodation providers are prepared: Hotels in Pas de la Case are used to these situations
- Ski passes: Resorts generally remain open as normal
- Shops: Stores and restaurants stay open despite access disruption
For shopping trips
- Avoid protest weekends: Favor quieter days
- Check customs allowances: Controls are sometimes tightened during periods of tension
- Leave earlier: Set off sooner to make up for possible delays
History of recent protests
For a better sense of how often these protests occur:
| Period | Duration | Impact | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Early January - calm situation | RN20 OPEN: Access to Andorra fully restored. Roads to Pas de la Case running normally. Vaccination underway: 77.3% of herds in the South-West vaccinated (558,022 cattle as of Jan 5). New outbreak detected in Ariège on January 1. | Bovine skin disease + Mercosur |
| December 2025 | Dec 15-21 (RN20 lifted) / Partial Christmas truce Dec 25 | RN20 BLOCKED then OPEN since Dec 21: Blockade lifted after 10 days. Mobilization sharply reduced for Christmas (23 actions on Dec 22 vs. 110 on Dec 19). Access to Andorra restored via Toulouse-Foix-RN20. | Bovine skin disease + Mercosur |
| January-February 2024 | 2-3 weeks | Major blockades on the A66, RN20, filtering roadblocks | Farm prices, environmental regulations |
| November 2023 | 1 week | Go-slow convoys, occasional slowdowns | Farm incomes |
| Autumn 2023 | 3-4 days | Light filtering roadblocks, traffic flowing | Drought, emergency aid |
| Winter 2022-2023 | 1-2 weeks | Major blockades, detours required | Rising costs (energy, fertilizer) |
Practical tips for your trip
✅ Pre-departure checklist
- ☑ Check the real-time traffic map
- ☑ Check the Envalira pass webcams
- ☑ Check Bison Futé and the Ariège Prefecture
- ☑ Fill up on fuel before leaving
- ☑ Bring water, snacks and a blanket (in winter)
- ☑ Charge your phone to 100%
- ☑ Plan an alternative route
- ☑ Let your accommodation know your expected arrival time
- ☑ Check your snow equipment (chains, winter tires)
Useful resources
Frequently asked questions
What is lumpy skin disease?
Lumpy skin disease (LSD, or "bovine nodular dermatosis") is a highly contagious viral disease that affects only cattle. It causes skin nodules, fever and a sharp drop in milk production. Spread by biting insects (mosquitoes, flies), it can wipe out entire herds if left unchecked. This disease is NOT transmissible to humans. Since the first outbreak was detected on June 29, 2025 in Savoie, 116 outbreaks have been identified across France in 11 départements, affecting 79 farms (as of January 2, 2026).
Why are farmers so angry?
Health authorities are ordering the preventive culling of entire herds as soon as one cow tests positive (3,300 cattle culled in total as of January 2, 2026). Farmers are challenging this approach and calling for a different strategy: culling only sick cows, placing the sector under containment, and letting the virus run its course. They are also demanding faster, fairer compensation. A large-scale vaccination campaign is underway and progressing well (77.3% of herds in the South-West vaccinated as of January 5), which is helping to limit preventive culling.
Is the RN20 to Andorra open now?
YES ✅ - The RN20 has been OPEN at L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre (Ariège) since the evening of December 21 (16 days ago). Access to Andorra via the direct route (Toulouse → Foix → Ax-les-Thermes → Andorra) has been fully restored. The blockade was lifted by the Confédération Paysanne Ariège after 10 days of protest action (December 15-21). The situation is calm in early January 2026. You can reach Pas de la Case normally via this route! That said, always check real-time conditions via Bison Futé before setting off, as the situation could change if new outbreaks are detected.
Are the protests dangerous?
No, farmer protests are generally peaceful. Farmers let priority vehicles through (ambulances, fire trucks) and often chat with drivers. Stay courteous and patient.
Can I cancel my hotel booking?
This depends on your booking's cancellation policy. Contact your hotel in Pas de la Case directly: most are flexible in cases of force majeure (major blockades). See our list of hotels.
Is the Envalira Tunnel accessible?
Yes, the Envalira Tunnel (on the Andorran side) is rarely affected by French protests. It's a possible alternative if there are blockades. Route: Toulouse → Barcelona → La Seu d'Urgell → Andorra la Vella → Envalira Tunnel → Pas de la Case. Tunnel toll: ~€11. However, the direct RN20 route is currently open and recommended.
Do the protests affect the ski resorts?
The Grandvalira ski resorts (Pas de la Case, Grau Roig) remain open as normal. Only access may be disrupted in the event of blockades. Ski passes remain valid. Currently, with the RN20 open, access to the resorts is normal.
How long do the blockades usually last?
It varies: from a few hours to several days. The December 2025 protest action on the RN20 to Andorra lasted 10 days (December 15-21, 2025) before being lifted on the evening of Sunday, December 21. Since then, the road has been open. For access to Andorra: the route is OPEN via Toulouse-Foix-Ax since Dec 21! Check our real-time traffic map for the latest updates.
🏔️ No blockades? Take the opportunity to book!
Find your accommodation in Pas de la Case • FREE cancellation on many rooms
✅ Important update: This page was last updated on January 6, 2026 with the latest information: the RN20 to Andorra has remained open since December 21! Vaccination is progressing well (77.3% of herds in the South-West vaccinated). A new outbreak was detected in Ariège on January 1. We recommend checking official real-time sources (Bison Futé, the Prefecture, our traffic map) before setting off to confirm there are no new blockades.
📰 Sources (January 6, 2026): The information on this page comes from official sources and verified media, including the French Ministry of Agriculture, France Info, France Bleu, Bison Futé, and Vinci Autoroutes. Vaccination data: Ministry of Agriculture (January 5, 2026). Disease outbreaks: 116 outbreaks across 11 départements affecting 79 farms (January 2, 2026).